From F1 to Green Card: Approved Just in Time for Medical Residency
Background
Our client, Fiona, was a Canadian medical student who first entered the United States in 2017 on an F-1 student visa. She was accepted into a competitive medical school in the Midwest, dedicating countless hours to her studies and clinical rotations. During this time, her boyfriend Michael was working full-time in New York City.
Despite the distance, the couple maintained their relationship with daily video calls, virtual date nights, and frequent weekend trips. After years of red-eye flights and emotional airport goodbyes, they decided it was time to start the next chapter of their lives together in the same city.
The Case
As Fiona’s residency approached, she urgently needed work authorization to begin her training without delays. Timing was critical—her future as a medical resident depended on securing employment authorization quickly. With wedding plans set for the following month, the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link recommended that Fiona and Michael begin the marriage-based green card process immediately to ensure she could receive her Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in time.
One major concern was that the couple had not yet lived together due to Fiona’s demanding school commitments. They worried that USCIS might question their marriage since they only saw each other on weekends. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link reassured them that long-distance does not disqualify a couple from petitioning for a green card, as long as there is strong evidence of a genuine, bona fide relationship.
In addition, Fiona and Michael had drafted a prenuptial agreement. The legal team at Green Card Link carefully reviewed the document and explained how a divorce could impact Fiona’s green card status, ensuring the couple understood all implications.
Preparing for the Marriage Interview
After four months, Fiona and Michael received their marriage interview notice. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link immediately began preparing them for this critical stage. Although the couple initially considered rescheduling due to work obligations, they were advised against it. Rescheduling could have caused delays of up to five months, which would have jeopardized Fiona’s ability to begin her residency on time.
To maximize their chances of approval, the team at Green Card Link provided a detailed checklist of items to bring to the interview, including:
- The original interview notice
- Passports, marriage certificate, and birth certificate
- Fiona’s F-1 visa and DHS entry stamp
- Tax returns
- Flight itineraries, shared bills, personal messages, and cards exchanged throughout the relationship
- Photos together and affidavits from friends and family confirming their relationship
The Outcome
Immediately after the interview, the USCIS officer granted preliminary approval for Fiona’s green card. Just two weeks later, her green card officially arrived. With work authorization secured, Fiona began her residency on time and was able to freely travel back to Canada to visit family. The entire process, from filing to approval, took only seven months. Most importantly, Fiona and Michael were finally living together in the same city, free from the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
Immediately after the interview, the USCIS officer granted preliminary approval for Fiona’s green card. Just two weeks later, her green card officially arrived. With work authorization secured, Fiona began her residency on time and was able to freely travel back to Canada to visit family. The entire process, from filing to approval, took only seven months. Most importantly, Fiona and Michael were finally living together in the same city, free from the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
How Green Card Link Helped
Every marriage-based green card case is unique, and Fiona’s situation required a time-sensitive strategy aligned with her medical school deadlines. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link developed a personalized approach to address the challenges of a long-distance relationship and presented their case clearly to USCIS.
By ensuring the couple was thoroughly prepared and confident for their interview, the attorneys achieved a same-day approval, ultimately helping Fiona and Michael begin their married life together without delays.
If you are preparing for a marriage-based green card case and have questions about your eligibility, evidence, or interview preparation, contact Green Card Link today for a free case assessment.